Give your favorite vanilla cupcakes a makeover with a cookie bottom, granola center, chocolate glaze, and granola sprinkles & enjoy this Granola Cupcakes recipe!
Remember the granola clusters I made from muesli a while back when we were on Bali?
The first batch didn't turn out so great because I got distracted swimming in the pool... Oops. But I tried again, watching the oven closely this time, and they came out wonderfully.
The fact that my husband and I gobbled them up all in one afternoon attests to how much we liked them. And we didn't even feel too guilty as they are quite a healthy treat.
Using Cookies to Enhance the Recipe
That is to say, there were still a few when I was making cupcakes the same day. It gave me an idea to incorporate them and give the cupcakes a crunchy center. But before that, I had already decided to give the cupcakes a cookie bottom.
You can skip this part or use any smallish cookie that you like (homemade or bought) that is about the diameter of your cupcake liners. These were the cookies I used:
They were store-bought chocolate chip peanut cookies.
Next time, I would probably use a cookie that complements the granola clusters. Or make granola clusters complementing the cookies. So for these cookies, granola clusters with peanuts and chocolate chips would have been perfect.
Adding the Granola In!
To add a granola center to your cupcakes, cut a cylindrical hole about ⅔ deep into the cupcake. A small knife works well but I prefer the reverse side of a medium-sized icing tip. I did the same for my apple caramel cupcakes and it worked like a charm.
Crumble apart a granola cluster (this works best if they weren't baked until too crunchy) and fill the center with about ½ a granola cluster. Push in a little bit but don't press too tight. I made that mistake with a few of the cupcakes and those ended up being difficult to cut or bite into.
To close the center again use just the very top of the cut-out cupcake part.
To finish off the cupcakes, I thought a chocolate glaze would be wonderful. It keeps the cupcakes moist and adds a chocolaty sweetness without being too overwhelming. I used my absolute favorite and so-simple-to make chocolate glaze from my Zucchini Brownies. Trust me, it's fabulous.
Any leftover glaze can be used to make hot chocolate or chocolate milk. At any rate, this recipe was delicious. I am so happy to be baking and creating recipes together. Let's keep it going!
Random Questions
Absolutely! Granola is a versatile snack that can be enjoyed in various ways. You can eat granola as is, without any milk or yogurt, for a quick and crunchy bite.
Both! Granola can be paired with milk or yogurt, depending on your preference. Some people enjoy it with cold milk, while others prefer the creamy texture of yogurt.
To achieve clumpy granola, using ingredients like honey, maple syrup, or egg whites as binders can help. Ensuring that the mixture is pressed firmly together and baking it at a low temperature can also encourage clumping.
Granola can be used as a nutritious breakfast option, a topping for yogurt or smoothie bowls, a crunchy addition to salads, or a satisfying snack on its own.
There are numerous ways to enjoy granola! You can sprinkle it over fruit salads, use it as a topping for ice cream, blend it into a homemade trail mix, or even incorporate it into baked goods like cookies or muffins.
Granola can be mixed with various ingredients such as dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or even chocolate chips to add extra flavor and texture to your snack or meal.
Ingredients like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or nut butters can serve as excellent binders for making granola bars. They help hold the ingredients together, resulting in a cohesive and chewy texture.
Granola is typically made from rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. These ingredients are often mixed with sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup and then baked until crispy and golden brown.
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Recipe
Granola Cookie Cupcakes
Ingredients
For cupcakes
- cupcake batter for 12 vanilla cupcakes, your favorite recipe or from a box mix
- 12 smallish cookies
- 6 of these: https://leelalicious.com/granola-clusters-made-with-muesli/
For chocolate glaze
- 3 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon margarine
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Prepare granola clusters. You will need only about 6 clusters for 12 cupcakes.
- Preheat oven according to directions for your cupcakes. Prepare cupcake batter. Line a cupcake tray with paper liners. Place one cookie at the bottom of each liner. Fill liners to ½ or ⅔ mark with cupcake batter and bake as long as recipe requires (usually around 15-20 minutes).
- Let cupcakes cool fully. Using a small knife (I like to use a turned around, medium-sized icing tip) cut a hole into center of cupcakes. Pull apart a granola cluster and fill into center. About ½ cluster, dont press in too tight. Use very top of the cut-out part to close cupcake top again.
Glaze:
- For the chocolate glaze, melt cocoa powder and margarine in a small saucepan on medium heat; put aside to cool. In a bowl stir together icing sugar, milk and vanilla. Mix in cocoa mixture. Dip cupcakes in glaze or spoon glaze over cupcakes. Sprinkle with a few remaining granola bits.
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Jacquee
Cookies, granola, chocolate - together! My mouth is open for business. 😉 These sound so delightful, Regina.
Regina
Thank you, Jacquee!
amy @ fearless homemaker
These look SO wonderful - what a creative, delicious cupcake. I wouldn't mind one right now, actually. =) YUM!
Regina
Aww...I'd love to send you one, Amy!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
I had to giggle at your healthy treat comment. 😉 Although I guess you have a point. They're not loaded with gobs of buttercream!
These are so creative. The cookie, the granola, the chocolate topping. They look great!
Regina
Thank you Erin.
Haha...yeah not sure how healthy these finished cupcakes are 😉 Was referring to the granola clusters by themselves, but I certainly wouldn't want to argue with the queen of healthy treats!
Ashley - baker by nature
Ooooo I love adding granola to baked goods!
Regina
I know, Ashley! Doesn't it just give awesome crunch and texture contrast?
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Uh-oh! Somebody didn't read carefully enough (although it was very clear!) Sorry about that.
I somehow feel better that you and husband didn't eat 12 cupcakes in one afternoon. 🙂
Regina
I am so glad your image of us was restored 🙂 We like our sweet treats once in a while, but I think 6 of these would put me into a coma.